Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-01-20
No Use For An Honest Man.

COLUMBUS, January, 12.-It Is seldom
that any set of men or political party
put themselves in the attitude of perse-
cutting a man because he does his sworn
duty as u public officer. Yet such is the
position in which the Democratic
"squaw" senators have placed them
selves. Mr. Vallandigham was nomi-
mated in the Democratic senatorial eau.
Gus, and afterwards elected clerk of the
state senate by their vot tes, but he refus-
ed to violate his oath of Office and pros
titute his manhood at the dictation OF
the defenders Of fraud and forgery, bal
lot.box stutfing. and rascslity' He was
slected as clerk of the senate. and refus-
ed to join in the revolutionary measures
and disreputable tactics resorted TO by
The Democratic senators in order that
the benefciaries of fraud might retain
the seats. to which they were never en-
titled. In tho senate. Mr.. Vallandighan
refused to desert his post, and, like a
criminal, flee by night from the state as
did the senators who had been elected
and sworn TO perform the duties of mem
bers of the general assembly. For do
ing right and performing his duty as be-
comes faithful and honest public serv,
ant, he is now being prosecuted by the
Democrats. The gross and uncalled for
insult offered him in the senate cham
Der yesterday, by Senat Dodd. of Tole-
do, through the motion providing for
his dismissal Is severely condemned. 1t
is denounced as unjust and ungentle-
manly by all fair minde men. 1t cer+
tainly comes with bad grace from this
man Dodd.
Mr.. Vallandigham is justly indignant
| at the treatment received. He was met
tonight by the Leader correspondent,
and in reply to question as to how he
regarded the resolution of Mr. Dodd for
his dismissal. after some hesitation be
came back at bis prosecutors with reg
ular broad>side. Speaking with consid-
cradle feeling. he said: Il regard it as
gross outrage. 1t is simply a continua
tion of the persecution to which have
been subject ever since last May, when
preferred to remain upon the soil of
Ohio rather than join the cOwardly exo>
dus to Kentucky. feel that have not
only performed my sworn duty ever
since my first election. three years age,
up to the present time, but that l have
not made d jackass of myself by dodg+
| iun q narfnrmanaa 0f The Dono.
cratic senators know very well that they
have blundered, and the action that they
took IN regard TO me was uncalled for,
as it was unjust. Knowing myself that
| did not from the beginning by sense
of duty, the episode has no effect upon
me whatever, and only goes to show
that the Democratic party in these days
has DO use for man who regards the
obligation of an oath, even though il
may be necessary by 50 doing to be at
variance with the plans and schemes of
the political party to which that man
may belong. II had paid no attention
to my oath, had joined them in their
expedition TO Kentucky, Tennessee, etc. !;
if bad said. when they stole the senate
Journal, that could not replace it when
L knew very well | could, ami if I had
followed the dictates of those who have
made it principle of the Democratic
party ip Ohio to sanction fraud and cor
ruption; had l done all this. l say,
would today be Democrat in good
standing. AS have chosen tn do 9TH
erw ise. believing that the discharge of
official duty is always above party con
sid-ratIon, cannot. do otherwise than
accept the action Of Senator Dodd. act
ing for his Democratic colleagues. as an
authoritative declaration that a man
who believes the discharge Of official
duty Is always above party considera-
tions. is not needed or desired in the
ranks of the Democratic party"